I was in a wrong marriage —Monalisa Chinda

Once it was that Nigerians kept asking questions as to what could have happened to their beautiful, dark skinned voluptuous actress Ini Edo, when she appeared during the premiere of a movie looking slimmer but still beautiful. Rumors were rife as to what could have happened but in the end, the whole negative story was put to rest. Another actress, Monalisa Chinda recently took her acting skills to a whole new height by premiering her latest flick, Kiss and Tell as a producer. While many enjoyed the movie which according to many was as interesting as it could get, many a guest were at a loss as to why the once chubby looking, pretty actress was looking trimmed, slimmed and a slimmer beauty of her old self. Was she ill or recovering? No. in this chat with Chibueze Okereke, the River state born mother of one revealed what she has been up to, her weight loss and her new movie. Excerpt.

Apart from being a Glo ambassador, what else have you been doing, especially as not too many movie scripts are coming your way, so to say?

One of the things that have really taken up most of my time from January till now is the setting up of Royal Arts Academy with other partners friends and colleagues. Apart from this, I have also produced a movie, which is yet to be out. Also, I tried to start my talk show which, somehow, might have to be postponed because it has been difficult getting sponsors. I also registered my NGO called Monalisa Code, which comprises Monalisa Smile and Monalisa Foundation for autistic children.

Why autistic children?

A very close friend of mine has a child who is autistic and she has been devastated ever since. She had the child normally, but we really didn’t know what happened along the way. I was touched by the development. She has been living with it for five years, but she is appearing to be normal now. It’s a very unique problem. I love kids and I really want to know what transforms them overnight. Sometimes, I wonder how the child is able to cope and the trauma that the mother goes through in raising such a child.

What are you going to be doing for them?

There are so many of them out there who really need assistance. I am going to create an enabling environment to bring the desired education and enlightenment on how best to integrate them into the society and also teach the parents on the best ways to relate with their autistic children.

What did you want to achieve when you resolved to be writing a column in a newspaper?

Sincerely, I just stumbled on that aspect of my life. I used to have a diary when I was growing up. I was writing virtually all my day- to- day activities. So, when I was going through all that happened in my marriage, I was putting everything down. I noticed that every time I wrote those things down, the Lord often directed me on what to do. So, when the problem started in my marriage, the first person I ran to was my mum, asking her what I should do. With my mum on one side and my book of experiences on the other, my mum advised me to do what my hearts told me. So, basically, I decided to write because I wanted people to see my other side. This is because I know I have this very intimidating posture that can make people call me a no nonsense bitch. But I really wanted people to see my other side, which I am achieving through this column. I really like to touch people’s hearts. I like to feel people’s pains. I know that I have gone through a lot and that has made me to really want to reach out to people. Really, I just needed to write down my inner most thoughts and try to reach out to people who might be going through the same dilemma.

You are always a busy person; so, how do you juggle motherhood with hustling?

I really don’t know how I get the strength, but I am hard working. I am not a hustler, but I am hard working. I don’t hustle or beg people for anything. I work hard and let my work speak for me. If I call one or two highly placed people in the society and ask them to be a part of a project I am working on, I don’t beep them continuously because that can be annoying. If I call you once or twice, I’ll wait for you to get back to me; and if I don’t hear from you, it means you are not interested. So, in the morning, I write out everything I need to do: I know I have to drop and pick my daughter from school; and when I cannot, I make sure that the school bus does that. So, if I can achieve 90 percent of everything I set out to do in a day, I am most grateful and satisfied.

Are you saying it is as simple as that?

Yes, it is because I am used to it. If you tell yourself that something is difficult for you, it definitely will be. Now, I am a man, a woman and a mother. I don’t have a man helping me. Honestly, I really miss this. I have to be the one that will get the house in order, put the generator on and take my car to the mechanic. These are men’s jobs, but I don’t have anyone to do it. I don’t have to depend on anyone in order not to appear as a weak person. I was doing all these for myself when I was married, so it doesn’t really make a difference. I have always been that kind of person. I don’t like people doing things for me; I took after my dad in that aspect. He would make his bed, drop and pick us from school. My mother was a career woman.

Now talking about your new movie what will you say make it different?

It is a romantic drama but full of other elements. It is suspense filled and with a very strong plot. It stars some of the best acts you can find in the industry. From Uche Jombo to Desmond Elliot, Joseph Benjamin and Nse Ikpe Etim. I also starred in the movie and co-produced it with Emem Isong. The idea is to give Nigerians something different from the ordinary. The movie is highly conversational. By this, I mean the conversation and the drama in the movie just keeps you guessing on what the end would be. At some point there is a twist which many audience will find interesting but it is a must watch movie.

So how do you feel with your new role as a producer?

I feel like an achiever. Producing is another part of me that I am glad to showcase to the world. Although before this, I have produced a yet to be released sitcom, Catwalq which also stars some of the best brains in the business. Kiss and Tell is one movie that everyone will love to see. The dialogue is out of this world. It will also show a new side of me. The audience will see a new Monalisa.
One thing that caught the attention of many at the premiere of the movie was your new physique. What is the secret behind that?
I work out a lot. I am getting older and that alone demands that I keep my weight and other things in check. I eat healthy, exercise for some hours daily. So there is really nothing new to it. I am just trying to stay healthy.

If a movie has to be done about you, what aspect of your life would you love to be given prominence?

It is that part of my life that I showed a great level of perseverance and maturity; it is that aspect of my life where I had to stomach a whole lot of things; and I will want them to show that side of me that I was traumatized. A lot of women are going through all these, but it will be good for people to see how I lived and survived it.

What was the feeling when your daughter had her first tooth and uttered the first word?

She had her first tooth pretty late; I think she was about nine months and her first word was ‘Daddy’ when she was about six months old. She just said, ‘Da da’ out of the blues… It’s too hurtful when you know that after carrying a child for nine months the first thing that comes out of her mouth is ‘Daddy’. I was very angry. I am with her 98 percent of the time, yet she only remembered to call her daddy first.

What makes you happy whenever you look at your child?

It is the fact that that, at least, I had something from that union. I was happy that, at least, I had something to fall back on; I mean something that constantly reminds me of God’s existence. She is my world; she is everything to me.

When you are not working for Glo, acting or even writing, what do you do in your spare time?

I am often relaxed and I watch television a lot. I just stay with my child because she is my joy. I don’t have a man; so, she is everything to me.

Most women are used to calling honey to come and fix the car when it breaks down somewhere. But how do you manage?

Well, for me, there is no honey to call. What I do is just service the car when necessary and make sure it is in perfect working condition. Since I know that no one else is there to do that for me, I have to assume both the role of a man and woman to get things done for myself. Because there is money, I really don’t struggle so hard to get things done. However, I have got good friends like Zik Zulu who comes once in a while to check on us; and sometimes, when my car is at the Nissan shop, he gives me his car and driver to help me around. I also have some caring friends who try to be of help when it is most needed. I have got my uncle, Mr. Cool, and some male friends who assist me.

You are doing well for yourself now. Do you think your freedom has allowed you to be more focused on your life goals?

Well, I would say it was because I was in a wrong marriage. One can still achieve all this, even if one is married. There are some married people who are doing good things, but mine was a wrong marriage. It could be probably because I was in a very, very insecure union called marriage. Everything was scripted; everything was just not right. Yeah, I have the freedom and I’m really fulfilled. But I have to curtail this freedom. I tell myself every time that because I am free doesn’t mean I shouldn’t just let go. Sometimes, I get so excited that I really want to go crazy, but I always caution myself and that is what makes me a woman and not a man. Men are free to do whatever they want, but should a woman try to exercise her freedom, she is seen as a whore in this country. So, you have to have self-control.

I remember you once told me in an interview that you won’t smoke or portray the devil’s agent. But all this changed; so, what happened?

One of the things you have to realize is that my husband then portrayed me in a certain way he wanted me to look. He was directing me. I was under a man and whatever thing he wanted, I had to abide by it. I am not a very spiritual person, but I know that I am at peace with my God. So, nothing happened; I was just trying to obey the man up there (laughs). 

source;nigeriafilms.com

NAIJA’S 6 RICHEST ENTERTAINERS

A few decades ago, music was seen more as a passion than a profession. But not anymore. It has gone beyond passion and has become more than a vocation. In recent times, we see people actually going to school to study music. It has become a career through which not only those who are deft in the art, but even the government can generate revenue. With endorsement deals, sales of compact discs, shows, etc some musicians earn a lot of money, and respect too. Many of them are role models to the younger generation. In no particular order, Life&Beat lists the top six players in the industry who have made a success of showbiz.

- Don Jazzy–Michael Enebeli, also known as Don Jazzy, is the founder of Mo’Hits. Reputed to be one of the best and most sought after producers, showbiz-savvy Nigerians don’t refer to him as a music producer but THE music producer. At age five, Don Jazzy already had eyes for the microphone, the music console and was always in the studio. He was a member of Good Morning Kids, a group created by his father. Don Jazzy is known for his business dexterity. Little wonder he successfully built Mo’Hits from scratch to become one of the biggest entertainment empires in the country. He recently signed a recording deal with international superstar, Kanye West – a move that not only boosted his reputation as an entertainer, but also his wealth.

- Tuface–Born Innocent Idibia, the former member of the band, Plantashun Boyz, is said to be among the richest artistes in the industry. With two platinum records in his kitty, Tuface is speculated to be worth about N550m. It comes as no surprise as he has had endorsement deals with brands like Guinness, which earned him N20m and Airtel, which earned him N22m this year. He was also said to have earned N30m from the producers of Phat Girls movie, and charges between N4m and N5m depending on the show. The artiste has invested heavily in real estate and stocks, where he earns big bucks. He once said he was set to recover all the wealth taken from Africa.

- BANKY W – Also known as Mr. Capable, Banky W has proved to Nigerians that he is capable of being among the richest entertainers in the industry. He makes the bulk of his wealth from gigs. He is said to charge between N2.5m and N3m per show and performs three to four times in a week. He is a brand ambassador of Estisalat, one of Nigeria’s telecommunications giants, where he featured in their popular commercial, 0809ja for life. He also featured in Coca Cola-Nigeria’s World Cup theme song and Microsoft’s Anti-cyber Crime Initiative. Banky W is an entrepreneur and has invested heavily in businesses that are fetching him good money. As a philanthropist, he founded the Mr. Capable Foundation, where he provides tuition fees for indigent and brilliant students.

- D’banj– Popularly known as the Kokomaster or Mr. Endowed, D’Banj is one artiste that has a penchant for making money. D’Banj certainly has a passion for business. Apart from music, Mr. Endowed has other businesses, which include Koko Mansion, a TV reality show, Koko Lounge, an upscale hangout in Lagos and UK, Koko Foundation, a charity and the recently-launched Koko Mobile under his label christened, Koko. The bulk of his money comes from endorsements – his endorsement deal with Globacom telecommunications cost N70m. He has a multimillion naira endorsement with an energy drink, Power Fist; a deal with the makers of Virgin Colour soft drink; and another multi-million naira deal with a popular jeweller. He has a deal running into millions with Chris Aire, as the face of his watches and another one with UAC Foods. He collects between N5m and N7m as performance fee for local gigs; $80,000 to $150,000 for African shows; £40,000 to £60,000 for UK shows; and $50,000 to $60,000 for American shows. Like his boss, Don Jazzy, D’banj also bagged a recording deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music; this will not only boost his career, but also the fee he attracts. D’Banj once said, “I work hard so that money, awards, endorsements, bookings and kokolets chase me.”

- P- Square– The singing and dancing duo, Peter and Paul Okoye, are unarguably among the richest in the industry. They won the KORA award for Best Africa Artiste 2010. The award came with $1m (N150m). Shortly after, the duo got an endorsement deal with Globacom telecommunications worth about N240m for four years. The hip-hop artistes had one of their greatest international gigs last year. Their American tour of seven cities earned them a whopping $1m (N150m). After a misunderstanding with their landlord, the duo built a house they named Squareville in the same neighbourhood. The house, which they completed in less than six months, is valued at N300m. They own Rayfield Hotel, Jos, and two multi-million naira factories in the same city, where they built a multimillion naira bakery and sachet water companies for their dad and mum, among other investments. The bulk of their wealth comes from concerts, especially in Africa. The duo have sold above 14 million copies of their CDs since 2005. They are said to charge about N2m per show.

- Goldie – Although she entered the industry recently, Goldie has been ranked among the richest artistes in the industry. The sexy singer has some tracks currently enjoying goodplay on the airwaves.

2 face

D banj

Don Jazzy

p square

Banky W

Goldie

Ron Kenoly comes to Adom Praiz 2011

The entertainment industry in Ghana has seen tremendous growth over the years as international artists - gospel and secular - keep coming in to perform.

Secular artists of international stature such as Jay Z, Donao, Fabulous, Fat Joe, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Luciano, Ackon, Binnie Man and many others have come and gone.

So have renowned world-class gospel artists like Don Moen, Alvin Slaughter, Bebe Winan, Israel Houghton, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Vinesong and others stormed Ghana at one point or the other to minister in concerts.

Last year the American gospel music Diva, Cece Winans performed along with carefully selected Ghanaian gospel artists at Adom Praise organized by Adom 106.3 FM to give Ghanaians an unforgettable worship experience.

Adom Entertainment News can confirm that another American gospel minister, Dr. Ron Kenoly is set to storm this year’s Adom Praise on 27th August 2011 and take the worship experience to another level.

Last year’s concert saw a massive patronage from gospel music enthusiasts, believers, politicians and Ghanaians of all shades, and Events and Promotions Manager at Adom FM, Frank Odoom said this year’s show would be a whole new experience all together.

He stated that preparations are far advanced for the arrival of the African-American gospel musician, worship leader, singer and songwriter whose expressed mission is "to create an environment for the manifest presence of God".

Dr. Kenoly’s musical style is one of jubilant praise and individual excellence on musical instruments. Although Dr. Kenoly himself only plays on one of his recordings, he leads comfortably with his voice and is always backed up by musicians and a large choir.

Born December 6, 1944 in Coffeyville, Kansas, Dr. Ron Kenoly began working in full time ministry in 1985. He started out as a worship leader at Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose, California. Not long after that, in 1987, he was ordained and installed as Music Pastor. As worship leader, his sole focus was leading worship service.

When he became Music Pastor, he became the shepherd over the entire music department at Jubilee Christian Center. In 1993, after the success of two albums on Integrity Records, he started receiving invitations from all over the world. Churches not only wanted him to come lead praise and worship, but also to help them develop their music departments.

So shortly afterward, he was named Ambassador of Music at Jubilee Christian Center. He was sent out from the church as an ambassador to the world to help churches develop and find the balance between worship and the Word.

In 1996, he received his Doctorate in Ministry of Sacred Music. In 1999, he felt the call to move from California to the East Coast. So, he relocated the ministry to Central Florida where he continues to travel, speak, sing and teach and record. He sings all over the world.

Mr. Odoom said the pedigree and stature of Dr. Kenoly no doubt raises the profile of Adom Praise to that level and Ghanaians can only expect the best of experience in the presence of God.

Commenting on the just ended Ghana Gospel Industry Awards he said he was excited about the turn of events and expressed the hope that Adom Praise 2011 would even chalk a greater success.

He thanked industry players and gospel music lovers who participated in the maiden edition of the awards.

When asked why some good old gospel artists like Stella Seal, Mary Ghansah, Amy Newman and Tagoe Sisters were selected to perform at the show, he said it was deliberately done to give the audience a feel of some of the gospel hits that dominated the Ghanaian scene about a decade ago.

Mr. Odoom intimated that Ghana Gospel Industry Awards is not a nine day wonder but has come to stay to promote excellence in the gospel industry.



Source: Kwaku Adu Kumi/Adom News/Ghana

My father wanted me to be a lawyer –Segun Arinze

The first thing that attracts people to actor and producer, Segun Arinze is his doe-eyes and golden voice, which have been endorsed by many brands. In this interview with Senior Reporter, Ifeoma Meze, he recalls his beginning in the entertainment industry and the journey so far.

A good number of your fans admire your impeccable English and accent and wonder if you studied abroad

Well, that is the kind of training you get working with people who are intelligent and quality professionals. I did voiceover for a lot of good hands like Soni Irabor, Bisi Olatilo and Osaze Iyamu. The diction has to do with training. Besides, English is my favourite language, I loved it while in school; it was my best subject. I attended one of the best schools around in those days. English, like other languages, evolves, so I move with the trend, with the dynamism and evolution. I develop myself. Also, I can’t but be good with the kind of directors I have worked with, the kind of books I’ve read and influences around me.

Are you one of the people that started acting by chance?

For me, acting is not by chance, but by choice. I demonstrated traits of acting right from early childhood, and the instinct later stuck till today and has brought me thus far. My acting career was driven by passion and as a student back then in Ilorin, I featured in drama and Ripples on NTA, and this caught the attention of my dad who tried to probe my interest in acting, but later gave up. I was greatly influenced by some gurus in the industry back then like Prof. Femi Osofisan, Bayo Oduneye, Olu Jacobs, Segun Ojewumi who is now a professor, Sam Loco and so on. For me, it’s really interesting and I am doing this because I have passion for it not just to make money. 

I hung out with guys in the Arts Council back then and they said I have a good voice and acting potentials, so they tried me out and that was it. It worked and I started singing. It started some 20 years ago when I met a friend, Ayo Orowale, way back in Ilorin, Kwara State. He introduced me to the theatre and we formed a playgroup called Palm Players. Ever since, there has been no going back. I knew I loved acting and I was going to be an actor, so when the opportunity came I went on to read drama at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. I thank God for blessing me with so much talent. I mean I can sing, act, write copies and scripts, do voiceover, produce and direct, sometimes do PR work when I have the time. 

At times I think I am suffering from over talent, because I play multiple artistic roles, I sing, I write, I produce, I direct, I am a trained actor. So in the early 80’s when a friend, Ayo introduced me fully to acting, it did not take me time to shine brilliantly and rise to stardom.

It seems voiceover and TV commercials consume more of your time these days than acting

Yes, not that I have left acting because it’s what I love doing and to some extent what brought me into limelight but I must say that the commercials, voice over, writing and producing take much of my time.

When was your first professional act?

I had been doing some stuff but my first professional performance was in 1984.

How nervous or shy were you at first?

Not at all, of course before then I had done some stage plays though this was a larger audience of more discerning minds. Besides, I have always been a bold and courageous person. So I was not shy or nervous. Ever since, I kept shooting up and I just knew there was hope for me in this career.

What was the reaction at home when you decided to take acting as a career?

Of course my dad didn’t like it at all. Every entry into acting I made was rebuffed vehemently by him. He wanted me to be a lawyer. I think what changed his mind was when I was still in Ilorin, we did a film and they were showing me on TV and my dad saw it and came to wake me to see myself on the screen. That softened him a bit but not totally. Of course, when he got to work, a lot of people told him they saw me on TV. But my grandmother didn’t like it and wanted me to be a lawyer. Even when my dad had softened, my grand mom was still adamant on me becoming a lawyer. They said theatre was not a paying job and that it was for rascals.

What about your mom?

My mom was very supportive; she was behind me all through.

So what changed your grand mother’s mind?

Yes, that was when I went to see her in Suleja and a large crowd followed me shouting Black Arrow. It was serious; the entire neighbourhood went gaga. When I say crowd, I mean crowd of over 4000 people and believe me am not exaggerating.

Did that change her impression of the arts?

She was dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe her eyes and she was really proud of me and my chosen career.

Would you say your growing up influenced your career choice?

Well, my father is from Badagry in Lagos State, while my mother is from Anambra State. I come from a family of seven and I am the first, the reason why I had to be well-focused and serious with life decisions I took was because my younger ones are there looking up to me for moral support. I was born in Onitsha but I practically grew up in Lagos, in fact my primary and secondary education were somewhere off Bode Thomas in Surulere. My father was a military/businessman so he travelled a lot and moved with his family. So, we found ourselves moving from one place to the other with dad but it got to a point I told them I was not moving again, then I stayed back in Lagos where I started my career and later went to the University of Ife where I studied theatre art.

Are you the only one that is into acting in your family?

For now I am the only one acting in my family, though very recently, my younger brother went into television production, another one loves music and is studying mass communication at the Lagos State University (LASU); he plans to be a broadcaster. My son is into acting too.

What will you do if a child of yours decides to take up acting as a career?

See, it is not about the money but about passion, talent and determination. If the child is ready to face the rigours and challenges and has the talent for the job, why not? But that child must be ready to be a true blueprint professional and not just a cosmetics actor/actress. It entails a lot, it entails focus, tenacity, determination and discipline.

Okyeame Kwame gives 5 reasons why Obour should be the next MUSIGA president

The 'Best Rapper Alive' speaks for Obour and gave us five reasons why Obour should chair the MUSIGA seat.

He is an experienced musician- 12 yrs of active musicianship with 6award winning albums, working closely with musicians across all the genres(collaborating with gospel(Noble Nketiah) l, hip life(uncountable), highlife(A. B. Crentsil), reggae(Shahsha Marley, Rocky Dawuni) section men(Ackah Blay, Dela Botri, etc) choral music, popular music the list goes on.

He has produced other musicians, organized major events and has contributed in so many ways to the development of the music industry. Toured all over Ghana and the world with Ghana music.

A musician with this experience is fit to be the leader of MUSIGA
2. He is a visionary- Obour since his birth into the music industry has not ceased to amaze all industry players with the beautiful ideas and effective ways he implements them to fruition.

This can be seen in the numerous first of its kind projects he has executed. He was the first Ghanaian musician to win the World Bank Music for Development Award and the first hiplife musician to be presented with the GRAND MEDAL state honour for Music by the President of the Republic of Ghana. These two awards were in recognition of his efforts at using music to impact on National Development. Till date, his Tour Obour.Com remains among the top success stories of the music industry in Ghana.

3. He is Corporate- Obour understands this modern corporate world and will be the best person to represent the interests of musicians. He is among the few musicians who runs his own office and owns and manages other businesses aside music.

His noble image coupled with his university education makes him a befitting new face for the Musicians Union. He is already doing business with corporate Ghana and the government.

Due to his reliability, databank Foundation invested a $60,000 scholarship package to train him in leadership with the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) in USA. The British council, an international organization appointed him as a Good will Ambassador for Climate Change in Africa.

4. He is Young and Abreast with time - Obour's middle age make him the best person to close the gap between the old and younger musicians. MUSIGA under Obour will attract more young musicians who form more than 80% of musicians in Ghana.

5. He has Service Record - His long service to mother Ghana through his music in different ways shows his preparedness to serve. He has single handedly contributed so much to the respect accorded to musicians today through his road safety and Education Campaigns. He has also done service to the musicians union of Ghana where currently he resides as the national youth organizer.

Considering the above factors, I consider Obour as the best candidate for the position of President of MUSIGA. I encourage all delegates who will be voting to vote Obour for a new MUSIGA. A MUSIGA which will be attractive to all musicians and lucrative to practioners.

Becca and 2face Idibia get bad

Ghanaian afro-centric singer, Becca right on the heels of releasing the video to her buzzing single, ‘Push’ featuring Trigmatic and King Ayisoba, has wrapped up shooting for another video taken from her upcoming album, ‘Naked I Am’.

The singer recently shot the video for “Bad Man Bad Girl’ featuring Nigerian superstar, 2face Idibia.

It is not clear at the moment what the singer, who usually has the ‘good girl’ public persona, means when she claims to be a bad girl is the new song but same cannot be said about 2face whose ‘bad boy antics’ have been well chronicled with a number of children from different mothers to show.

I Don’t Open My Legs To Get A Job’

Anita Ofori

There is a widely held belief that several working ladies, especially those in the entertainment industry, are under constant pressure from their male bosses who demand sex in exchange of job security or promotion.

A few Ghanaian actresses have given hints that this practice prevails in their industry but so far, no one has been bold enough to mention names to substantiate this perception.

News-One caught up with Anita Ofori, a fashion model with extraordinary charming looks and asked if she had ever experienced this or has any knowledge of it. “Most girls have a problem with sexual harassment from their male bosses but I haven’t had such an experience so I can’t say it is a challenge for me.

Wherever I go, I don’t encounter that problem with men who want sex before giving you a job. No, I have not had such an experience,” was her immediate response.

When asked how she would have handled such a situation and how her female colleagues handled theirs, she had this to say: “It is a matter of not giving in. It is an individual difference, someone may agree and give in or due to the circumstance, may be compelled to give in but personally, I will not do it.”

Anita has been with Exopa Model Agency for the last four years and says: “I love modeling. I have passion for modeling from infancy.

So after Senior High School, I decided to join Exopa. I enrolled at the modeling school department and eventually graduated. So far it has been good. “It is the dream of every model to be known and also get contracts to get finances going so I think it has been good so far.

I have done a whole a lot with renowned fashion designers including Alfadi, Kofi Ansah, Imane Ayisi and so on.” Anita possesses the type of looks that can make a hardcore gay convert into a heterosexual and she is one of the top models under the management of Exopa Model Agency.

She hails from Cape Coast in the Central Region and currently a third year Sociology student at the University of Ghana.

Anita’s career has seen her catwalk on a couple of big platforms including the FIMA Festival in Niger, Ghana Fashion Week, Be Bold Show, Da Viva Show, Kwame Nkrumah Centenary Celebration Fashion Show, Jonathan Dimbliby Fashion Show for Kofi Ansah and a number of top fashion events across Africa.

She was also adjudged the first runner-up during the 2010 edition of Exquisite Face of the Universe- Ghana pageant.

Billboard adverts and bikini shows, she noted, pay well in this part of the world but she did not reveal the biggest pay check she has received so far.

Anita admires Tyra Banks and wants to be like her. She expressed the hope of establishing herself as a super model who would be recognized on international platforms. She is currently getting ready for the Exquisite Face of the Universe pageant to be held in Korea.



Source: News one

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NOLLYWOOD ACTRESSES ON WAR PATH

For one reason or the other, these actresses do not see eye to eye and even go as far as ignoring each other when they meet at events. Some do not even speak to each other and do not hide their disdain/dislike for one another.


Checkout their names;



• Uche Jombo vs Mercy Johnson

• Tonto Dikeh vs Mercy Johnson

• Ini Edo vs Oge Okoye

• Ini Edo vs Mercy Johnson

• Bimbo Akintola vs Kate Henshaw Nuttal

• Rita Dominic vs Genevieve Nnaji

• Bimbo Akintola vs Alex Lopez

• Alex Lopez vs Lilian Bach

• Oby Edozieh vs Lilian Bach

• Oby Edozieh vs Tricia Esiegbe

• Oge Okoye vs Chioma Toplis

• Oge Okoye vs Uche Jombo

• Susan Peters vs Uche Jombo

• Omoni Oboli vs Alex Lopez

• Bimbo Akintola vs Rita Dominic

• Genevieve Nnaji vs Kata Henshaw- Nuttal

• Bimbo Akintola vs Stella Damasus 



UCHE JOMBO



KATE HENSHAW NUTTAL



TONTO DIKEH



TONTO DIKEH



OBY EDOZIEH

OGE OKOYE



LILIAN BACH

I'm not distracted by music - Asamoah Gyan

Asamoah Gyan has dismissed fears that his love of music will damage his chances of success in football. The Sunderland and Ghana striker is heavily involved on the local music scene in his country, featuring in a number of hit songs. "Many European players play golf in their leisure time," said Gyan. "I choose to record music." His latest duet with musician Castro - 'Do the Dance' - is climbing up the music charts.

Source: BBC

Kwabena Kwabena Turns Actor

Singer Kwabena Kwabena is keeping his fingers tightly crossed as he waits for something he sees as valuable for his overall evolution as a creative artiste: a call from film director Shirley Frimpong-Manso to feature in one of the 10-chapter Adam's Apples movie being produced by her Sparrow Productions company. Adam’s Apples is the multi-prong story of a widow; Mrs Adams, her three beautiful daughters and how they all juggle with their lives in contemporary settings. Three chapters of the movie have already been released and the director has promised Kwabena Kwabena a role in one of the upcoming chapters. “Acting has been my dream since infancy, but I haven’t had the chance yet to express it the way I would wish,” a delighted Kwabena Kwabena, who had a singing part in Sparrow Productions' Perfect Picture movie, said in a chat. “Shirley is one of the best film directors in this country at the moment so starring in her movie will be a great honour.” Born George Kwabena Adu, the award-winning Kwabena Kwabena is one of the best known singers around. He has three albums to his credit: Aso, Debi and Bibini. A new one, Begye Me, is due to be released soon. Though he read Construction Technology at Accra Polytechnic in 1998, Kwabena Kwabena prefers music to what he studied at school. “I want to sing and touch people’s hearts through my music,” he said. His view on the Ghanaian movie business is that it is not doing badly and there is a lot of room for improvement. “I know Ghanaians are now patronizing a lot of made in Ghana movies and that is something to be proud about, but we can still improve on it and I know my wife is not going to worry about me playing such a part.” Shirley Frimpong confirmed to Showbiz that she would use Kwabena Kwabena in one of the chapters of Adam’s Apples. “I believe he suits the kind of role I want to give him. I do not think it would be something too difficult for him to handle. “Kwabena Kwabena is a talented person and I do not think I am going to have any regrets using him in my movie,” Shirley added. Another singer, Afya, makes a cameo appearance and de1ivers a heart-warming rendition of Sexy, Sassy, Wahala, the title track of Adams Apple 3.

Source: Graphic Showbiz

Failed drug test delays DMX's Ariz. prison release

The rapper known as DMX will have to spend at least an extra week in an Arizona state prison for failing a drug test.

The 40-year-old whose real name is Earl Simmons was given a year in prison in December after his probation was revoked for failing to submit to drug testing and driving on a suspended license. He was credited with 117 days he had already spent behind bars.

Arizona Department of Corrections spokesman Barrett Marson confirmed DMX was due to be released from a prison in Yuma on Wednesday. His new release date is July 19.

Prison records show he's also been caught smoking twice and once with drugs since January. He's been making 20 cents an hour as a porter.

TMZ.com first reported the failed drug test.

Bank moves to foreclose on R. Kelly's Chicago mansion

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter R. Kelly has failed to make mortgage payments on his multimillion-dollar Chicago-area home for more than a year and now may lose the property to lenders, court documents show. In a foreclosure action filed in June in Cook County Circuit Court, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A. said that the singer, whose full name is Robert S. Kelly, had not made a monthly payment on the 11,000-square-foot home in Olympia Fields in south suburban Chicago since June 2010.

The suit said the current principal balance on the loan was more than $2.9 million, not including unpaid interest, which accrues at rate of $251 a day. The original loan issued in 1999 was for $3.5 million, according to the lawsuit, and the monthly payments were $24,345.12. The property has a number of liens on it, according to the lawsuit, including nearly $2 million from the Department of the Treasury. The 44-year-old R&B star, who won three Grammy Awards in 1998 for his song "I Believe I Can Fly," is no stranger to controversy. In 2008 a jury acquitted him of child pornography charges. (Reporting by Karin Matz; Editing by Jerry Norton)

Man arrested outside Halle Berry's home charged

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a man arrested outside Halle Berry's home with felony stalking.

Richard Franco remains jailed and is expected to appear forarraignment in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday.

He was arrested late Monday after investigators say off-duty police officers saw him jump the wall of Berry's Hollywood Hills home. Authorities say it was the third time he'd been spotted trespassingon the property since Saturday.

The 27-year-old faces up to three years in prison if convicted of stalking. Jail records do not indicate if he has an attorney.

The Oscar-winning actress obtained a civil restraining order against Franco on Tuesday, saying she was "extremely frightened" of him. The order remains in effect until Aug. 1 and also protects Berry's 3-year-old daughter.

Tonto Dikeh turns her back on Ini Edo in favor of Rukky Sanda

Actress Tonto Dikeh is known as one person who enjoys making close ties with her colleagues in the industry. In the past, she has been a very close friend of Ini Edo, Halima Abubakar and Ebube Nwagbo. It was revealed that one remarkable thing about this sexy and light skin actress is that she leaves an indelible mark in the heart of all her friends, as she will give expensive gifts, stage parties for them before the relationship will go sour.

In the past two years, Tonto has been very close to Ini Edo, and their friendship was said to have kicked-off at a movie set for a production they were both casts. Since then, Ini and Tonto have shared lots of things in common as they allegedly live the same pattern of life.

Recently, insider sources informed that Tonto has parted ways with Ini, and have gotten a soul mate in the person of another beautiful actress Rukky Sanda. Few weeks back during her birthday gig, Rukky played a very prominent part and was everywhere with Tonto so much that people felt both actresses were celebrating their birthdays together.

The scenario was really confusing to those who are aware that Rukky was not born in the month of June and does not share the same date of birth with her. Rukky turned Tonto’s birthday to her own day, as she disclosed the level of love and closeness between them. Do you think it’s in their best interest to keep the distance?

Tonto Dikeh

Ini Edo

 Rukky Sanda